Dispensing device for tablets, lozenges, pellets, and the like



Oct. 17, 1939. R. P. WARREN E-r A1.

DISPENSING DEVICE` FOR TABLETS. LOZENGES, PELLETS, AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 16, 1937 Patented Oct. 17, 1939 nazca PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR TABLETS, LOZ- EN GES, PELLETS, AND THE LIKE Robert P. Warren,

Kenilworth,

and Daniel Peterkin, Jr., Chicago, Ill., assignors to Morton Salt Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 16, 1937, Serial No. 169,392

2 Claims.

Y vThis invention relates to a novel and improved dispensing device for tablets, lozenges, pellets and the like, and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

l 'I'he object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device of the kind, which is of simple and economical construction, which is capable of 'ready and easy operation, and which will positively deliver a single tablet or pellet at each operation of the device without breaking the tablets or pellets in the operation of the device from which they are delivered.

The advantages of the invention will appear more fully as we proceed with the specification.

lIn the drawing:

l is a perspective view of the approved dispensing device.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the dispensing device.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper end of a standard provided with a part adapted to coact with Ia part on the dispensing device for supporting the dispensing device.

' Fig. 4 is a vertical section von an enlarged scale through the center of the dispensing device.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the dispensing device in a plane indicated by the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the device in a plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the operating member of the dispensing device.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the device with the top cap removed, said view being'on the same scale as Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing: I indicates a vertically elongated tube which constitutes the body of the dispensing device. Said tube is closed by a top flanged cap II which is removably secured thereto in any convenient manner as by screws and bayonet slots as indicated at I2 in Fig. 4. I3 indicates the base of the device. It consists of a cup having a flat bottom wall I4 and an upright flange I5. The flange I embraces and closes the bottom end of the tube I6. As shown, the flange I5 is made of increased diameter on its inner side near the top to provide a shoulder I5 to receive the bottom marginal end of the tube I 6, in such manner that the inner surface of the tube will be flush with the inner surface of the ange I5 below the shoulder I6. The tube and base are removably secured together by means of screws I 1.

(Cl. S12- 94) On the bottom wall I4 of the cup I3 is rotatably mounted a disc i8. At equally spaced arcuate distances about said disc are provided apertures I 9 which are of a diameter to receive loosely the tablets or pellets to be delivered. Said disc is provided with a centrally disposed, depending stud 2D which bears in an opening 2I formed in the bottom wall I4 of the base I3. A longer stud 22, co-axial with the stud 20, rises from the top of the disc I 8. A dome-like member 23 with a depending circular flange 24 located within a circle tangential to the inner edges of the apertures I9, is held to the disc I8 by means of a screw 29. A vertically disposed agitator 30 projects upwardly from said screw 29, being xed thereto in a convenient manner. It consists of a rod having a lateral bend 3| intermediate its ends.

25 indicates the operating arm of the dispensing device. This consists of a narrow, flat, radially disposed plate 26 having a bearing ring^21 at one end. Said bearing ring is mounted on the bottom'stud 20 of the disc I 8 and is held thereon by a washer and screw 28 so as t0 turn freely on said stud. 32 indicates a downwardly inclined false' bottom member located above the dome 23. It consists of an elliptical plate engaging at its periphery with the inner surface of the tube I0, but terminating at its lower end in an edge 33 which is spaced from the inner surface of the cylinder. The agitator rod 30 projects through an aperture 34 in the plate 32 with the bend or loop 3| located slightly above said plate. The edge 33 provides a passageway or throat connecting the space below the plate 32 which may be called the dispensing chamber, from the space in said tube above said plate which constitutes the main magazine in which the pellets to be dispensed are placed. An opening 35 is formed in the bottom wall I4 of the base I3 to receive the pellets or tablets discharged from the apertures I9 in the disc I8. Said opening is disposed diametrically opposite the passageway or throat 33a between the edge 33 of the plate 32 and the proximate surface of the tube I0.

The disc I8 is provided with ratchet teeth 36 and is normally held against movement by means of a spring-back ratchet 31 which projects through an aperture 38 in the base flange I5 in the plane of the disc I8 for engagement with said teeth. A horizontal slot 39 is formed in the base ange I5 in the plane of the disc I8 (see Figs. 5 and 6), and a spring-controlled pawl 40 carried by the operating arm 26 projects through said slot for engagement with the ratchet teeth 35 of the disc as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Said pawl is mounted in a barrel 4I in a familiar manner, as shown. The slot 39 is of such length that when the arm 26 is swung the full length of said slot, an aperture i9 will be brought each time into register with the discharge opening 35. Above the discharge opening 35 and slightly above the plane of the disc I8 is a guard 42. 'I'his is preferably in the form of a sleeve 43 mounted on a pin 44 secured to the ange l5 of the base and projecting diametrically across the discharge opening 35. Said guard prevents any tablets in the dispensing chamber above the disc I8 from blocking or otherwise interfering with a tablet at the time of its discharge.

The operation of the device is as follows: The cap H is removed and the magazine is lled with the pellets or tablets to be dispensed. Said tablets ll the magazine above the inclined false bottom plate 32 and pass through the throat 313a into the dispensing chamber below. They rest upon the dome 23, and as they move are guided by said dome into the annular space above the apertures l@ and into said apertures. In the normal position after the discharge of a tablet, the back ratchet 31 holds the disc i8 with the aperture from which the tablet has been discharged, vertically above the discharge opening 35, as shown in Fig. 4. When another tablet is to be discharged, the arm 25 is swung counter-clock- Wise t0 bring the spring-controlled pawl 4i! into position for engagement with the next following tooth 36-in this movement swinging freely on the depending stud 20 of the disc I8. The arm 25 is then swung clockwise to bring another aperture I9 containing a tablet to a position above the discharge opening 35. When it reaches the discharge opening 35, it drops therethrough, being protected from interference by tablets in the dispensing chamber above said opening by the guard 42.

-Any suitable means may be attached to the tube I 0 for mounting the dispensing device in upright position. As shown, the back of the tube l0, that is to say, the side diametrically opposite the discharge opening 35, is provided with a plate 46 with upwardly converging spaced flanges 41 which are adapted for engagement in a familiar manner upon the bracket 48 having an upright tongue 49-the bracket being secured to a standard 50.

While in describing my invention I have referred to several details of mechanical construction and arrangement, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, except as pointed out in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a device for dispensing tablets, a magazine having a bottom wall and a false bottom wall fixed above the same and providing a dispensing chamber therebelow, said rst named bottom wall being provided with a discharge opening at one side, and said false bottom wall being formed to provide at the opposite side of said magazine a throat for discharge into said dispensing chamber, a rotatable disc mounted on said first named bottom wall and having arcuately spaced apertures movable in succession to a position above said discharge opening, an operating arm pivoted to said magazine to swing in a plane parallel to said disc, and a spring controlled pawl carried by said operating arm for operative engagement with said disc.

2. In a device for dispensing tablets, a casing having a bottom wall with a discharge opening at one side, a false bottom wall xed in said casing above said rst named bottom wall and terminating short of the side of said casing opposite to said discharge opening, a rotatable disc mounted on said iirst named bottom wall provided with arcuately spaced apertures 'adapted to be brought successively to position to register with said discharge opening, a dome projecting above and iixed to the top of said disc, said dome having an annular base with substantially upright sides spaced from the casing to provide an annular coni-ined space above the path traveled by said apertures, and a guard fixed in said space above said disc in vertical alignment with said discharge opening acting to bridge said annular conned space and preventing interference by tablets above said discharge opening with the unobstructed discharge of a tablet from any aperture in said disc to said discharge opening.

ROBERT P. WARREN. DANIEL PETERKIN, JR. 

